Taipei, June 4 (CNA) The winner of the 2011 spring competition of Lugu Township's Dong Ding oolong tea, one of the most famous oolong varieties in Taiwan, was sold Saturday at a price of NT$150,000 (US$5,233) per catty or 600 grams, the highest price ever seen at the competition.

The winning tea, planted by tea farmer Liu Chi-chung, broke the record of NT$100,000 per 600 grams set last year at the township's winter tea competition.

The competition, held every spring and winter by Lugu Township Farmers' Association for more than 30 years, selects the best Dong Ding oolong tea in the township in central Taiwan's Nantou County which is famous of producing oolong and other varieties of tea.

A total of 12,000 grams or 20 catties of the winning tea was immediately sold out at the competition site.

Dong Ding oolong tea is a heavily fermented tea that grows in the field of Dong Ding Mountain at 600 to 1,200 meters above sea level. It requires intricate processing and intensive roasting and has a smooth and brisk taste.

A total of 5,428 tea samples were submitted for competition this year, the most ever to enter the competition. (By Lin Heng-li and Christie Chen) Enditem/sc